Five ways to make the holiday even better (or simply bearable)
Photo via celebrationsweets.com.
Whether you’re celebrating Valentine’s Day with your partner, your roommates, or by yourself, here are five types of chocolate treats I found on campus for you to enjoy.
Oat fudge bar
These bars have everything you’re looking for in a mid-week mood-boosting snack. I would eat these every day if I had the budget and dietary tolerance. They’re chewy, soft, and buttery without feeling heavy. They’ve also got enough saltiness to offset the chocolate, and the oats leave you feeling satisfied and ready to take on your next lecture. I bought mine at Mac’s as a dessert to accompany my custom sandwich, but oat fudge bars can also be found at Bibliocafe, Boardwalk, and any other UVic Food outlet.
Hot chocolate
As a lover of high-quality warm drinks, I chose Munchie Bar as the place to test out a hot chocolate on campus. As always, their milk frothing abilities did not disappoint, and this drink was thoroughly delightful. With just enough chocolate syrup without being sickly sweet, this treat provided a satisfying balance that made me feel warm, even during an early February drizzle. If you’re looking for more adventure, try asking for the addition of a flavoured syrup to your cocoa.
Double chocolate cookie
I’m not one to frequent Mystic Market, but when I do, I’m probably looking for a quick fix of chocolate before heading home after class. I stopped by the Boardwalk Cafe on my way to the bus loop and bought a double chocolate cookie to tide me over. This is the type of dessert to buy only when you have a deep, indescribable need for chocolate, which I am proud to admit happens to me quite often. The chocolate chips surrounded by chewy, chocolatey dough certainly hit the spot and left me in great spirits. Again, these cookies can be found at UVic Food outlets all throughout campus.
Denman Island chocolate
If you’re looking for a more sophisticated gourmet option, then check out Denman Island Chocolate bars, sold at the UVic Bookstore and at Bibliocafe. These bars are organic, gluten-free, and vegan, which is probably also why they’re so delectable. I tried out the “zesty orange” flavour and it was a rich, deep, dark chocolate of the variety that makes you feel refined and worldly. I’m now curious about the rest of the flavours, and these hidden treasures just might be my next chocolate obsession. They’re on the pricey side, though, so try to enjoy these in moderation. Or add them into your weekly grocery budget if you’re a true chocolate devotee.
Chocolate plant milk
Perhaps you’d rather try a healthy, quick hit of chocolate from the one and only Cove. In that case, I recommend the Earth’s Own individually sized chocolate milks. These are also available at most UVic Food outlets.They have an oat and an almond variety, both superb in their own right. I slightly prefer the almond one, only because it has a richer, bolder taste than the oat. Either way, these milks are the perfect size to propel you through your readings. Plus, everyone is talking about how flavoured milks are IN for 2024.
